India began with a 3-1 victory against Wales, with Harmanpreet Singh converting two penalty corners and Sanjay scoring from another set piece. England, however, made a stronger statement by defeating Pakistan 4-1 and will provide India with a considerably tougher challenge.
The stakes are also amplified by the tournament’s new format. The top two teams from each pool move into the second stage, where they are regrouped into Pools E and F. Importantly, the result against the other team from the opening pool stage is carried forward, meaning Monday’s clash could have a significant impact on the eventual semifinal race.
India will need to sharpen their attacking game after relying heavily on penalty corners against Wales. Abhishek and Sukhjeet created chances but could not finish from open play, while the team’s intensity dropped after scoring twice in the opening quarter. England are unlikely to be as forgiving and could punish defensive mistakes.
England’s recent record makes them formidable opponents. They lost just two of 16 matches in the 2025-26 Pro League and finished runners-up behind Belgium, compared with India’s eighth-place finish. The teams also shared closely fought encounters in London before the World Cup.
History further favours England. Their last World Cup defeat to India came in 1994, while their 2023 meeting ended goalless. With Pakistan next for India on August 19, Monday’s result could shape their entire route through the tournament.
